By : Ross Scherer

At the 13th World Precision Flying Championships in Hamilton in Mach 1999 New Zealand swept in with five placings. The creme of the world aviation crop, representing twenty-two different countries challenged the elements and each other in both landing and navigation competitions.

World Low Houred Time Champion Greg Ward from Canterbury continued in winning style taking the title for the second time. He was also part of the New Zealand Team that were awarded second place in the overall team competition.

Daroish Kraidy of Auckland took second place in the individual navigation section, preceded only by Janusz Daroch of Poland who had gained world navigation champion status for the fourth time. Daroish gained another second place in the landing competitions and completed his trifecta with a further second placing as part of the New Zealand team.

Auckland woman Dee Bond Wakelin, whose aim was to half her penalty rate, did so in superb style. Dee took second place in the Best Woman Pilot category.

Gordon Hughes of Hamilton was the third member of the New Zealand team who trounced the usually predominant Scandinavian countries with the second placing in the team navigation.

At the awards ceremony New Zealand introduced a new trophy, one to be awarded to the Best Landing Team. Had this award been introduced last year New Zealand pilots would have had yet another trophy to add to their 1999 booty.